By Tom Scalisi | Updated Jul 18, 2023 9:40 AM
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Hardwood floors add beauty and value to a home, but they’re expensive. Treat them like the investment they are. Whether made of oak, bamboo, maple, or a variety of other species and materials, hardwood floors need protection—and that comes from the best water-based polyurethane.
With so many flooring finishes on the market, though, it can be difficult to decide which is the right one for your particular situation. Knowing which product will last the longest is a challenge, but this guide can help. It covers the top considerations to keep in mind and reviews some of the best options available.
We researched the most sought-after water-based polyurethanes for floors in their respective categories. During our research, we discovered that the best options are determined by their coverage, finishes, ease of application, curing time, and the other special features included with top brands.
As we searched for the best water-based polyurethane for floors, we found that the most popular products among users provided between 62 and 600 square feet of coverage area in matte, flat, ultra-flat, crystal clear, semi-gloss, and gloss finishes. Additionally, our top picks are easy to apply with a brush, roller, or staining pad.
While most of these top products require multiple coats, each has a fast curing time of 2 to 24 hours (although one does take 7 days to fully cure) for a scratch-, abrasion-, and scuff-resistant finish, even in high-traffic areas. Plus, select picks are safe for indoor/outdoor use, contain UV blockers, are no-odor or low-VOC formulas, or are eco-friendly.
This lineup of the best water-based polyurethane products for floors includes some of the best options on the market in a variety of categories. Keep reading through for more information on polyurethane floor finishes, as well as the shopping considerations to keep in mind when comparing them.
For a hard, durable polyurethane, check out General Finishes High-Performance Water-Based Topcoat. This finish, available in gallon, pint, or quart sizes, contains a UV stabilizer to protect the coating from intense UV rays on the floor’s surface and prevent yellowing or ambering.
Applying General Finishes is a straightforward process. Simply use a synthetic or foam brush, staining pad, or roller with a smooth finish. Each coat dries in around 2 hours. General Finishes recommends applying this water-based polyurethane at a temperature no greater than 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 percent humidity. Keep in mind that it’s not suitable for outdoor applications, as this is an indoor-only polyurethane.
Get General Finishes polyurethane for floors at Amazon, Sears, or Walmart.
For the superior durability of a traditional polyurethane along with the easy application and cleanup of a water-based product, this water-based, oil-modified polyurethane from Minwax is durable yet still dries quickly and cleans up with warm water.
This finish has a clear satin sheen, providing just a touch of gloss along with easy cleaning and maintenance. Ideally, apply it on a day no hotter than 77 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity at no more than 50 percent. To apply, simply use a synthetic bristle or foam brush, or a roller, and use thin coats.
Each coat should take 2 hours to dry, and Minwax suggests lightly sanding the first coat with 220-grit sandpaper, removing the dust, and applying a second coat. Floors coated with this Minwax product are ready for light traffic in 24 hours, furniture in 72 hours, and rugs can be put back in 7 days. Keep in mind that this is an oil-modified product, so it’s best to use in a well-ventilated area.
Get Minwax oil-modified polyurethane for floors at Amazon (1 gallon), Ace Hardware (1 quart), or Sears (1 gallon).
Minwax’s polycrylic water-based topcoat offers an impressive protective finish for an affordable price. This product protects interior wood surfaces from foot traffic and other damage, yet it’s affordable enough to have on hand for touch-ups when needed.
This Minwax product has a satin finish with just the right amount of shine. Follow standard procedures to apply it by using a bristle or foam brush or a paint roller with a smooth sleeve. The first coat will dry within 2 hours, at which point Minwax suggests a light sanding and cleaning of the resulting dust.
After the appropriate number of coats have been applied (typically three, per Minwax), it hardens fully in just 24 hours. Cleanup is easy, requiring only warm water and a bit of soap.
Get Minwax polycrylic polyurethane for floors at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Walmart.
DIYers who don’t mind spending more for worthwhile innovation may want to give Bona Mega Wood Floor Finish a try. This product uses a special formula that reacts with oxygen differently from other polyurethanes. This formula flows and self-levels, making it easier to apply and improving its performance over some other other products.
This water-based polyurethane dries between coats in 2 hours, and it fully cures in 7 days. It’s easy to apply with standard water-based polyurethane application methods, and it features improved flow, leveling, and build for a professional-grade finish.
Get Bona polyurethane for floors at Amazon or Sears.
High-traffic areas are susceptible to scrapes, scratches, dulling, and other undesirable marks. This Varathane floor finish was designed to resist scuffs, abrasions, and scratches to help protect floors, yet it boasts a no-odor formula. It’s also easy to apply, thanks to its ability to self-level, and it won’t yellow.
This glossy, water-based polyurethane dries to a clear finish, which is often preferred in new flooring installations. Application requires the same basic steps and tools as other water-based products: Clean the surface, apply the product with a brush or roller, and allow it to dry between coats (which should take 2 hours, though it dries to the touch in 1 hour). Give it about 24 hours to completely cure.
Note: Some retailers only have this polyurethane in 2-gallon sets, which could be more than some DIYers need.
Get Varathane polyurethane for floors at The Home Depot or Sears.
Sun streaming through large windows can wreak havoc on standard polyurethane floor finishes, but Minwax Helmsman Water-Based Spar Urethane can stand up to the intensity. This product’s built-in UV blockers are designed to reduce the graying and fading effects on any material it covers, including flooring.
The spar urethane applies just like a typical water-based polyurethane at an ideal condition of 77 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 percent relative humidity. Apply the coats with a brush or roller with a smooth cover. Each coat takes around 2 hours to dry, at which point a light sanding and cleaning are required before adding another coat. After the final coat, the finished surface needs 24 hours before normal use. Keep in mind that this product is not specifically made for floors so it may require more frequent touching-up than other products.
Get Minwax Helmsman spar urethane for floors at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Walmart.
DIY floor refinishers who want to get the most coverage from their polyurethane should consider Rust-Oleum Parks Pro Finisher water-based polyurethane. This protective coat comes in 1-gallon jugs that are easier to open and pour from than standard cans, and each jug can cover up to 700 square feet. It dries in as little as an hour, allowing the user to apply another coat sooner than oil-based products.
Pro Finisher polyurethane is designed to fill and seal the pores of hard and softwoods, providing protection against chemicals and abrasions. It’s also non-yellowing, so users won’t have to strip and refinish their floors as often. It’s available in satin, semi-gloss, and gloss, with gloss being the more wear-resistant option. It does require a minimum of three coats, however, and only two coats should be applied the same day.
Get the Rust-Oleum Parks Pro Finisher polyurethane for floors at The Home Depot.
Finishing light-colored wood floors takes the right product to avoid ambering and allow the natural look to shine through—and Minwax Ultimate Floor Finish might be just the ticket. This water-based polyurethane features a special formula that creates a tough floor finish while also resisting ambering over time, an ideal combination for light wood floors.
Ultimate Floor Finish is easy to apply with a brush or roller. It dries enough for a second coat in 2 hours, and it doesn’t require sanding between coats. This means DIYers can finish the entire floor in one day. Each gallon can cover between 400 and 500 square feet of floor space, and total dry time is between 24 and 72 hours. The biggest challenge is that it can be hard to find anywhere but on Amazon right now, so make sure to order enough.
Get the Minwax Ultimate Floor Finish polyurethane for floors at Amazon.
Whether finishing a new floor installation for the first time or refinishing existing floors, choosing the right water-based polyurethane is important. The following sections point out some of the most important considerations to keep in mind when shopping for these products. Read each section to help make an informed decision.
Since it has a direct effect on its longevity, a polyurethane product’s durability is one of the most important factors to consider. Water-based polyurethane typically lasts about 3 to 5 years at maximum shine and performance, compared to a varnish or oil-based polyurethane’s 7 to 10 years. But that depends on a few considerations:
Areas that don’t see much sunlight or traffic can see finishes that last longer than the typical 5 years.
The best water-based polyurethane for floors comes in a few different levels of shininess, also known as “sheen,” to create a vibrant, beautiful floor finish. Floor refinishers can choose from high-gloss, gloss, satin, and flat polyurethanes.
Satin polyurethanes are typically ideal for flooring applications. These polyurethanes offer just a bit of shine, but they’re less likely to get dull in high-traffic areas. Moreover, they offer more traction than a high-gloss finish, making the floor safer to walk on without feeling rough or unpleasant.
Much like oil-based or exterior wood finishes, water-based polyurethanes are simple to apply. DIYers can apply the product to their floors with a paint roller, a roller sleeve designed for floors, or a brush. Before starting the project, keep these tips in mind:
Water-based polyurethanes usually have less-intense odors than oil-based options. However, a few options may contain VOCs, so it’s a good idea to open windows for ventilation and wear a mask during application.
Most floor finishes require more than one coat (three is typically the minimum), so drying time between coats is a major factor when choosing the best water-based polyurethane. Some of the most convenient products feature drying times between coats as short as 1 hour, although others might take much longer.
Final curing time differs among products. For example, polycrylic dries very quickly after application, but it can take longer than polyurethane to cure. Typically, these finishes may take only a few hours to dry between coats, but curing usually takes days. Most products are suitable for light traffic after 24 hours and furniture after 72 hours. The finish probably still won’t reach its total cure for another week or two.
One of the biggest benefits of finishing flooring surfaces with polyurethane is that it makes them easy to clean. With a coat of polyurethane, even hardwood floors can take a thorough mopping without damage; just be sure not to use too much water or soap.
Keep the surface clean from dust and dirt that can scratch the polyurethane; otherwise, those particles can dig into it and wear it down. A regular sweeping should be enough. If it looks past its prime, apply a bit of floor wax to help restore some shine on the surface.
All this new information about choosing the best water-based polyurethane may have uncovered some new questions. In the following section, we provide succinct answers to some of the most common questions that crop up about water-based polyurethane.
Most experts and polyurethane manufacturers recommend three coats of water-based polyurethane at minimum. Some users may choose to apply four coats, but this could lead to lots of sanding and extended curing times.
Many of the best polyurethane for floors require sanding between coats. Use 220-grit sandpaper, and clean the floor thoroughly between coats. It’s best to sweep, vacuum, and use a tack cloth to remove any sanding debris.
Most water-based polyurethanes take between 2 and 4 hours to dry between coats. Full cure depends on the product, but it can take from 24 hours to 21 days. Be sure to check each products’ instructions for a definitive answer.
Yes, but the roller cover must be smooth to apply the polyurethane uniformly. Any hard-to-reach areas will still require brushing, as the roller may be too big to fit or its round shape may not reach all the way into inside corners.
Both types of polyurethane work well for flooring, with a few differences. Water-based polyurethanes dry quickly and exude fewer fumes. However, oil-based polyurethanes last longer and require less maintenance.
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.
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